Check out our interview with popular content creator and TikTok star Sam Vicchiollo.
Sam developed his passion for entertaining an audience at a young age by putting on performances for friends and family. With the rise of TikTok, he shifted his focus to posting unique videos and is best known for his wide range of content including comedy, lip-syncing, lifestyle, skits, and POV’s just to name a few. Vicchiollo’s engaging personality has helped him build a large following with a verified TikTok with over 146 million likes and over 2 million followers, as well as an Instagram with over 60,000 followers.
Follow Sam on IG @samvicchiollo & TikTok @samvicchiollo
Describe yourself in 3 words?
I would describe myself as kind, giving, and loyal
Who is your role model?
Both of my parents are my role models. Every day I try to work harder and grow as an individual to be more like them. My dad is the hardest working person I know, and he always strives for perfection. My mom is kind, generous, and has always taught me how to treat the people I love. I look up to both for different reasons, and I hope to one day be just as wonderful as them.
How did you get started into the business?
I downloaded TikTok in May of 2019 as a joke. I never intended on making a video. Coming from a small town in Wisconsin, I never believed that something like this could happen. I got home from school one day and was so bored that I decided to make a TikTok, post it, and completely forgot about it. Why would I think anything of it? Hours later I get back on TikTok to thousands of views, and the next day there are over 1.8 million. After that I was hooked. For the next 3 years I continuously created content and pursued social media because I had finally found my passion.
How has this changed your life?
I can’t even begin to describe how different my life would be if it wasn’t for TikTok. When I first downloaded the app I was a senior in high school planning on going to college to pursue a degree in marketing, despite knowing the whole time that I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. When I posted my first video (garnering over 1.8 million views), I knew this opportunity could change my life. I took the risk and posted videos every single day, turning it into my full-time career. I’ve experienced things that I thought I would only dream of, including the chance to do something with my life that I truly have a passion for.
Tell us about your work as an influencer and content creator?
For over three years, I have created hundreds of videos and from that, cultivated an audience that to me, feels more like a community. On top of relatable comedy many seek on my page, I also speak on many deeper topics, like mental health, current events, social and environmental advocacy, and bullying – all topics that I find important to my own past and personal growth. With such a large platform, I’ve always tried to utilize my influence for good. Overall, I want anyone who watches my videos to take something away from them. Whether that be laughter, relatability, emotion, knowledge, or insight – I want viewers to really feel something.
Where or when did you find the love for this?
I grew up making short videos with my sisters, cousins, and friends. I remember back in middle school I would come up with skits and commercials in my basem*nt and force my sisters to act in them. I would come up with a concept, film it on my parent’s video camera, edit it on our family computer, and show the whole family when I finished. I’ve always had a love for creating videos, and it’s crazy how its spiraled into the career I have today.
Now tell us about your huge TikTok success and what you are doing to keep it going and growing even more?
I downloaded TikTok with my friends as a joke, never intending on ever posting a video or pursuing it as a career. I got extremely bored later that day and decided to post my first video and I got instantly hooked, and continued to post every single day, garnering over 2 million followers in 3 years. The way I keep it going is consistency. I know that the day I stop posting is the day I throw away everything I’ve worked so hard for, and I refuse to do that.
When you started your account, did you expect such a success?
Not at all. Not even a little. I grew up in a very small town in Wisconsin, things like that don’t happen to people like us. This was never supposed to be my life and I’m so damn grateful that it is. I got lucky, but I’ve worked hard to turn my luck into success. I think that’s what makes me stand out.
As a popular influencer you are followed by so many people. How do you feel about that pressure of always doing the right thing, and encourage people to follow their dreams?
There’s an immense amount of pressure with being so popular on social media. I’ve done a good job of disassociating from the numbers, but I live with the constant reminder that I’m always being watched. knowing that has impacted my self image and the way I conduct myself, but in positive ways. I’m constantly reflecting and trying to grow into a better person. I want to be the best version of Sam that could possibly exist.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
The greatest lesson I’ve learned is that being humble and being kind will get you furthest in life. Since moving to LA, I realized how jaded people can be. So many people will try to act a certain way and put a filter on for others. Being my true self and simply being kind to others has gotten me further than if I tried to be what I think other people want me to be.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
“I have become everything I told myself I’d never be”. I have this tattooed on me, and it’s the truest statement that describes my life. I grew up with so many dreams, but zero direction in life. If a dream wasn’t realistic, I wasn’t allowed to have it. I used to hate myself, so the fact that I’ve come so far mentally, physically, and in terms of my success, I really did become everything I told myself I’d never be.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part of being a content creator is when I meet people in real life who follow me and hear how my content has changed their life in some way. It’s so surreal to think that people I’ve never met before are so impacted by my content, it reminds me that there’s a reason why I keep going every day. It pushes me to do more, to be a better person, and keep doing what other people rely on me to do.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
Talking to my younger self is probably the thing I wish I could do most in life. I used to be in such a dark place. I was severely bullied for 4 years and belittled myself because of it. I wish I could tell my younger self that it was all going to be okay, more okay than I could ever imagine. I wish I could just stand in front of my younger self and let him soak it all in and show him that some amazing things are in store.
What is your favorite healthy food?
I always eat healthy. Out of all the meals I eat, my favorite would have to be protein smoothies. I could drink those all day long.
And your favorite cheat food?
I’ve recently discovered that Domino’s pizza doesn’t satisfy my cravings like it used to, so my new go-to cheat meal is probably Cheesecake Factory.
How would you explain your fashion style?
Fashion has become one of my new hobbies and I’m constantly trying to improve my closet and personal aesthetic. I would describe my style as y2k, grunge, streetwear.
How would your best friend describe you?
My best friend would describe me as giving, honest, and kind. I feel like people wouldn’t suspect those things about me, but I promise the stone-cold face you see on my Instagram does not correlate to my personality.
What’s next for Sam Vicchiollo in 2022?
I’m so grateful for the career TikTok has given me, but I know it’s only a steppingstone in the grand scheme of my life. I’m currently trying to pursue modeling, and I could see myself acting within 2022. Now that I live in Los Angeles, I’ve realized that the opportunities are endless, and I want to take every single one I can get.
What is your own definition of happiness?
My definition of happiness is constantly changing because I have always believed that I will only be happy if I am successful. Although, I am more successful than I ever hoped to be, it’s still not enough for me which is extremely motivating. I don’t think I will ever be satisfied, and that drives me to keep working harder and harder. I also think that happiness is the people you surround yourself with. Having a strong support system is critical in this industry, and I am happy to have the people I do in my life.
How is a normal day in your life?
Every morning I wake up and take my dog to the dog park, go to the gym, make breakfast, and get dressed for the day. It’s important for me to have a routine because it helps give my crazy life some structure. Then, I’ll film throughout the afternoon, complete brand deals, respond to emails and my managers, and get ready for any events I have in the evening. After I complete all of that I’ll either go to an event or I’ll hang out with my friends and do random stuff across L.A.
What is your idea of a perfect Sunday?
Sundays look the same as every other day of the week for me, but, if possible, I do like to spend extra time on the weekends with my friends or even by myself. I love my personal time and take advantage of it when I can.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would want to meet Jesse J. I recently went to one of her concerts and discovered how incredibly hard working she is. I love how passionate she is about her art. I think it would be truly inspiring to sit down and learn more about her and get advice that I can implement in my own life.
Best advice ever given?
I have two pieces of advice that stick with me every day. The first is “in every situation, always do what the best version of Sam would do.” What can I do in this very moment that “the best version of me” would look back on and know that I made the right decision? And the second piece of advice that I use daily is “life opens up when you do.” I struggle with social anxiety and self-image problems, which hinders me from talking to people, standing up for myself, and taking opportunities that scare me. I am in complete control of my life, and when I tear down the boundaries of what I tell myself I can and cannot do, I start to live the life I’ve always dreamed of living
Do you support any charity?
I believe in the power of giving back to the community that built me up. I plan on donating to and supporting charities through my social media platforms in 2022.
Name 3 things you can’t live without?
Three things I absolutely cannot live without are my dog Evelyn, my family, and my friends. I know those aren’t specific things, but I honestly don’t think I could ever live the life I do without my support system, and I would give up every materialistic thing for them.
Where do you see yourself and your career 5 years from now?
In five years, I could see myself acting on a TV show or modeling, hopefully both!
Favorite song? Why?
My favorite song is “I Fall Apart” by Post Malone. That has been my favorite song since high school, and it just brings back memories of blasting it while driving down country roads in Wisconsin. It gave me a sense of relief and freedom, and I still feel that way when I listen to it today.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram and TikTok: samvicchiollo Snapchat: srvicchiollo
Photo Credit: Ethan McAlister
